My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead — what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too.

Life.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record (and do “kids today” even know what that phrase means??), it’s been another busy, stressful workweek, followed by a weekend where I scrambled to catch up with emails, errands, and random odds and ends around the house.

I feel like I barely had time to read…

Blogging:

I rarely pay attention to blog stats, but I was amused this week to see my stats explode! Why the big burst of views (over 3,000 in one day — and believe me, that NEVER happens, not even close!)?? I think we can thank the Outlander fandom for the surge — I posted a review of actor Sam Heughan’s memoir Waypoints last week, and it’s been getting anywhere from 500 up to thousands of views ever since (although it’s starting to die down a bit now.)

I’ve never seen numbers like this before on my humble little blog. Gotta admit, it gave me quite a chuckle.

What did I read during the last week?

Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay: My Classics Club Spin book! I held off on writing about this book after I finished reading it a week ago, because I wanted to wait and watch the movie and TV versions first. Now I have, and I shared a (probably too long) reaction post about all three! Check it out, here.

Said No One Ever by Stephanie Eding: A fun, upbeat romance that also has some lovely themes about connection and purpose, as well as a lovable, memorable, feisty 82-year-old woman who keeps everyone on their toes. My review is here.

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson: My book group’s pick for April. I really enjoyed it, found it powerful and moving, but haven’t had the time or focus to write up my thoughts just yet. Perhaps later in the week (although sometimes I find with book group books that once I’ve participated in our group discussion, I feel unmotivated to also write a review post…)

Pop culture & TV:

A night out! My husband and I, along with our son and his girlfriend, went to the theater this week to see Come From Away.

It’s a wonderful show — great music, very moving, and so well done! What a treat!

On a different (much sillier note), I was happy to discover that season 3 of Indian Matchmaking just dropped on Netflix. I really and truly do not watch reality TV shows, but something about this one makes it an exception for me! Perhaps it’s just the delight of counting how many times Sima Auntie (the matchmaker) tells her clients not to be so picky… but something about this show makes it a nice little treat.

Check out the trailer for season 3:

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel: I’ve gone out of order — I recently read Sea of Tranquility, the author’s most recent book, but felt like I’d missed out by not reading this one (which was published two years earlier) first. I’m at about 50% at this point, and I’m loving it (but feel like I should read Sea of Tranquility again once I’m done).

Now playing via audiobook:

A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher: I always love this author’s books, and the whimsical tone of this book really suited my mood this weekend.

Ongoing reads:

My longer-term reading commitments:

• Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon: Over at Outlander Book Club, we’re doing a group read of BEES, reading and discussing two chapters per week. Coming up this week: Chapters 120 and 121 (of 155).
• A Passage to India by E. M. Forster: My book group’s current classic read, also two chapters per week. We’ll be finished by the middle of May.

So many books, so little time…